President Bola Tinubu was the center of attention as he marked his 73rd birthday with an outpouring of goodwill and prayers from Nigerians across the country. A special Iftar held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja served as the focal point of the celebrations, bringing together prominent figures from various sectors to honor the President and reflect on his journey.

The Iftar event saw the presence of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife Nana, members of the Federal Executive Council, principal officers of the National Assembly, current and former governors, diplomats, business leaders, religious figures, and childhood friends of the President. Special prayers were led by Dr. Abdulkadir Sholagberu, the Imam of the National Mosque, seeking divine guidance and continued progress for both the President and the nation.

President Tinubu, visibly moved by the show of support, expressed his deep appreciation to Nigerians for their well-wishes and prayers. He acknowledged the challenges he faced on his path to the presidency and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s progress. Reflecting on his political journey, the President recounted a moment of doubt during the 2023 election campaign when he contemplated withdrawing from the race due to the economic crisis triggered by the naira redesign policy. He shared a story of how a close relative's plea for financial assistance and concerns about the state of the economy almost led him to abandon his ambition.

"Those close to me know that the odds were against me," President Tinubu said. "During the campaigns, one of them came to my living room around 3:30 a.m. and said he needed just N50,000 to buy foodstuff for our uncle. He told me, 'the currency is gone because of you. People are jumping over bank counters because there is no cash. Our uncle, a wealthy man, doesn’t even have N10,000 in cash. What are you running for?'"

Despite the discouragement, President Tinubu persevered, thanks to the encouragement of figures like Aminu Masari and others who believed in his vision for Nigeria. He noted that he assumed office during a time of economic uncertainty and had to make immediate, difficult decisions, including removing the fuel subsidy. "On the day of my inauguration, I had to decide on something not originally in my speech, and that was the fuel subsidy removal," he said. "The hallmark of a great leader is the ability to make the right decision at the right time. That was the day I declared that the subsidy was gone. The following day, I was hounded and thoroughly abused in the media. But I stood firm, knowing it was the right thing to do for our nation’s future."

Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded President Tinubu’s sacrifices, stating that history would remember him as the leader who took on the nation’s most complex challenges. He commended the President's boldness in addressing issues such as fraud-ridden fuel subsidies, an unstable forex market, and the suppression of local government autonomy.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised President Tinubu’s ability to forgive and his relentless passion for national development, describing him as a leader who thinks outside the box and as the ‘most audacious president’ in the country’s history. House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu described President Tinubu as a leader who has broken barriers and uplifted future Nigerian politicians.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State commended the President’s decisive leadership at a time when Nigeria needed stability, while Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Bosun Tijjani shared his personal experience of being appointed by President Tinubu despite his past activism.

Adding to the chorus of congratulations, former President Muhammadu Buhari praised President Tinubu for his contributions to the country, while former military president Ibrahim Babangida lauded Tinubu’s leadership intervention as “very remarkable, bold, resilient and encouraging.” The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described the President as a beacon of hope and a visionary leader, while the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, credited Tinubu’s leadership with the military’s recent successes against terrorism and other security challenges.

Across the nation, state governors and other members of the political class joined in sending congratulatory messages to the President, reaffirming their support for his leadership and vision for a better Nigeria. The Arewa Think Tank organized a prayer session in Kaduna to mark the President's birthday, with Islamic clerics leading prayers for his good health and the progress of the country.

As President Tinubu embarks on another year, he does so with the support and prayers of Nigerians from all walks of life, united in their hope for a brighter future under his leadership.